Traditional Knowledge and the Future

From the animals and plants that nature provided people were able to live relatively secure lives. People had everything the needed here in the valleys and mountains and from the river. They weren't rich or well organized such as the tribes on the coast and near the mouth of the Columbia River, but they did live fairly well. People had resources that were dependable and available such as roots from the shrub-steppe, berries, spring and fall runs of salmon, wild game, and an abundance of extra food- although not the tastiest- like river mussels which helped people survive harsh winters.
Although now very few people eat traditional foods and practice traditional ways, the importance traditional knowledge of the land and its' resources should not be forgotten. Native plants could be used for a variety of uses in modern society- for food, medicine, and fiber and other materials and tools. Health problems associated with the modern American diet such as obesity, diabetes, and heart problems are particularly acute among minorities including indigenous people. There is mounting evidence to suggest that traditional foods have a number of beneficial properties such as lowering blood sugar and decreasing insulin resistance, and have more nutrients and less fat than their modern counterparts.

Phytochemicals in traditional foods, a field of nutrition we are just beginning to learn about, may prove to be the most important health benefit. One example of food that we eat which illustrates the benefits of phytochemicals is soy products. Soy beans are publicized as healthy foods, partially because of the presence of physterols- phytochemicals which may reduce the risk of heart attack. Another phytochemical food star is garlic which contains organo-sulfur compounds that may reduce the risk of cancer. In traditional foods lies an entire world of phytochemicals which we know nothing or little about yet, but may someday prove to be important to the health of all people.